SERENE CHATS: You’ll eat this for the yum factor, but there’s a lot more than just yum going on here. Eggplant is rich in fiber but low in calories and satiates the appetite. It does this by powerfully regulating your blood sugar and inhibiting your hunger hormone ghrelin through high amounts of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Suffering from foggy thinking? Eggplant can help. It has a substance called nasunin, which studies show inhibits detrimental behavior in the brain. The dark purple color means it is teaming with phytonutrients that boost mental health and cognitive activity.
It wields a fierce axe against the free radicals that scavenge your brain and cause neural degeneration. Eggplant delivers oxygen-rich blood to the brain, which helps neural pathways flourish and stimulates memory and analytic thought. It is also an abundant source of potassium, which is known as a vasodilator and widens blood vessels to the brain. I chose to add MCT oil because it is ultimate brain fuel and has even been clinically studied to reverse dementia.
This dip is brain food on steroids! By adding a scoop or two of our grass-fed collagen powder we amp up this beautifying, body-repairing food. Let’s dig in and feast our brain and bodies strong! Dip on-plan breads and crackers—such as Beauty Blend Savory Sesame Crackers (page 504)—or crudités into it or use it as a side. This recipe is found in the “Sauces, Dressings, Dips & Other Odds and Ends” Chapter, page 520 of the Trim Healthy Table Cookbook.
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Brain and Body Eggplant Dip
Description
SERENE CHATS: You’ll eat this for the yum factor, but there’s a lot more than just yum going on here. Eggplant is rich in fiber but low in calories and satiates the appetite. It does this by powerfully regulating your blood sugar and inhibiting your hunger hormone ghrelin through high amounts of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Suffering from foggy thinking? Eggplant can help. It has a substance called nasunin, which studies show inhibits detrimental behavior in the brain. The dark purple color means it is teaming with phytonutrients that boost mental health and cognitive activity. This recipe is found in the "Sauces, Dressings, Dips & Other Odds and Ends" Chapter, page 520 of the Trim Healthy Table Cookbook.
Multiple Serve Recipe
Ingredients
For The Dip
Absolutely Divine S Options
Optional Garnishes
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 400°F.
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Wash the eggplants and prick them in a few places with a fork. Bake on a large baking sheet for 30 to 40 minutes. Be sure not to burn the skin, as that contains many of the brain nutrients. Remove from the oven, slice them open, and let them cool for 15 to 20 minutes (you can bake them the day before, but this dip is lovely served warm and fresh).
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Heat 1 tablespoon MCT oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until translucent. Remove from the heat, add the dried mint, and stir well.
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Cut off the caps of the eggplant, coarsely chop the flesh, and place in a food processor. Add the minty onions and garlic, collagen, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using) and process until creamy. If making the S option, add the extra oil while processing and pulse the walnuts at the end so they are chewy morsels.
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Place this mixture in a serving bowl and stir in the yogurt or kefir. Garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired and a dash of sumac powder or paprika for a red splash of color.
Note
It wields a fierce axe against the free radicals that scavenge your brain and cause neural degeneration. Eggplant delivers oxygen-rich blood to the brain, which
helps neural pathways flourish and stimulates memory and analytic thought. It is also an abundant source of potassium, which is known as a vasodilator and widens blood vessels to the brain. I chose to add MCT oil because it is ultimate brain fuel and has even been clinically studied to reverse dementia. This dip is brain food on steroids! By adding a scoop or two of our grass-fed collagen powder we amp up this beautifying, body-repairing food. Let’s dig in and feast our brain and bodies strong! Dip on-plan breads and crackers—such as Beauty Blend Savory Sesame Crackers (page 504)—or crudités into it or use it as a side.
